Hever Castle Triathalon (24th Sep 2016)

Start time: 08:00

Location: Hever Castle, Hever, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG

In just seven years the Hever Castle Triathlon has established itself as an essential destination for British and international triathletes and the mainstream media, for its picture postcard venue, elite action, age-group choice and festival atmosphere. Put simply, instant classic doesn’t do the Hever Castle Triathlon justice.

With no fewer than 16 race choices on offer, 7,000 triathletes ventured to Hever Castle in September 2015, with entries increasing for the seventh year running. To cement the race’s title as the world’s largest children’s triathlon 1,600 youth athletes took part in September. As in previous years, the children’s races are split over two days (8-10 year olds on Saturday afternoon and 11-15 year olds on Sunday afternoon).

For 2016, the Gauntlet Half Iron Distance will be back with a vengeance; over 850 signed up for the perfect September autumn day in 2015. For the third year running the long-distance Bastion is returning to Hever Castle on Sunday 10 July 2016.

The races will again commence with an open-water swim in the spectacular 38 acre Hever Castle Lake and River Eden, transitioning into the undulating cycle that takes athletes around a circuit through the High Weald of Kent, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and up to the stunning Ashdown forest for the longer distance races. The largely off-road run circumnavigates the estate and award-winning castle grounds before athletes make the dash to the tree-lined finishing chute beside the lake.